Lately, the saying that “kids will be kids” seems to be more common than ever before. While this holds true for some kinds of childhood fun, the state of New Jersey takes juvenile criminal mischief charges quite seriously.
As a highly experienced and knowledgeable New Jersey juvenile criminal mischief lawyer, John B. Fabriele, III works every day to protect the future of his juvenile clients. No matter how severe the nature of your child’s charges are, John will always argue for an outcome that protects your family’s best interests. Contact us today or call (732) 246-0888 for your free case evaluation.
Per New Jersey Criminal Code Section 2C :17-3, the definition of criminal mischief in New Jersey is:
A few common examples include:
While these acts often start as “friendly dares,” they can easily lead to you searching online for “juvenile criminal mischief defense lawyer near me in New Jersey.”
And to be clear, it doesn’t matter whether the person committing them is under 18—they can still be charged with juvenile criminal mischief.
The types of juvenile criminal mischief-related offenses include:
This list shows just how easy it can be for a minor to find themselves facing criminal mischief charges. Especially in this modern age of posting videos on social media, kids and teens often think before they act.
In New Jersey, the penalties for criminal mischief are generally assigned depending on the monetary value of the property damage:
But you should also know that certain situational details can also impact the severity of these penalties.
For example, damaging an oil/gas/service line, tampering with an airport or landing strip, or performing an act of graffiti can all cause higher fines—regardless of the monetary value of the property damaged.
Speaking with an accomplished, experienced New Jersey juvenile criminal mischief lawyer like John B. Fabriele, III can help you get a clear understanding of exactly what you and your child are up against in terms of potential consequences.
It’s no secret that juveniles often don’t fully grasp the potential consequences of their actions. After all, studies show the teen brain isn’t fully mature—that doesn’t happen until a person’s mid-to-late 20s. But despite this fact, when a juvenile is arrested for criminal mischief, it often puts both their and the parent’s behavior under a microscope.
In addition to the fines and potential incarceration, the judge may order social services to step in with resources, or even remove your child from your home.
If you’ve found yourself in need of an NJ juvenile criminal mischief lawyer, contact John B. Fabriele, III today. We’re open 24 hours because these things don’t just happen during business hours—just call (732) 246-0888 now.
With over 20 years of experience winning favorable outcomes as a New Jersey juvenile criminal mischief lawyer, John B. Fabriele, III has heard just about every question out there regarding these types of charges. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
Yes, a juvenile record can be expunged in New Jersey if you meet several specific criteria. Per N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32, any person deemed a juvenile delinquent can have their record expunged so long as:
If you meet these requirements, you’re eligible for expungement once:
However, applying for expungement in NJ is a complex process.
The state of New Jersey even recommends you consider hiring a lawyer rather than representing yourself. If you’d like to get your juvenile record expunged in NJ, contact New Jersey juvenile criminal mischief lawyer John B. Fabriele, III today at (732) 246-0888.
The possible defenses for any juvenile criminal mischief case will depend on specific details, but a few common strategies are:
To learn more about which defense strategies might be best for your child, start by calling John B. Fabriele, III now at (732) 246-0888. During your free case evaluation, he can get a deeper understanding of your situation and how to secure a favorable outcome in your child’s case.
While you’re choosing a New Jersey juvenile criminal mischief lawyer, you want to keep their reputation, knowledge, and experience in mind. These qualities are especially crucial in juvenile cases because there’s only one agency that handles them: the Juvenile Justice Commission.
This system functions quite differently than the adult legal system. And since everything goes through them, having in-depth knowledge and understanding of its operations can make all the difference in winning a favorable outcome for your child.
That’s why you need an extremely experienced, knowledgeable, and successful New Jersey juvenile criminal mischief lawyer if your child is facing these types of charges. Don’t wait to start protecting your family’s best interests—contact New Jersey Juvenile Defense Lawyer John B. Fabriele, III now at (732) 246-0888.